The link between religiousness and prejudice: Testing competing explanations in an adolescent sample.

Abstract

Research links intrinsic religiousness to less prejudice toward Black people and greater prejudice toward gay people. We examined longitudinally in a sample of 865 adolescents three variables that might serve as a mediator of attitudes toward Black people yet produce a suppression effect in attitudes toward gay people: (a) humanitarian values, (b) favorable evaluations of social groups, and (c) socially desirable responding. In light of evidence that Black people on average are more religious than are White people, we also examined whether self-identifying as Black helped explain racial prejudice. Our mediation analyses provided strong evidence that humanitarian values and the tendency to view all social groups favorably accounted for the relationship between intrinsic religiousness and positive attitudes toward Black people. We found no support that socially desirable responding or identifying as Black accounted for our effects. Consistent with a suppression effect, controlling statistically for the agreeable aspects of religiousness strengthened the relationship between intrinsic religiousness and prejudice toward gay people. These findings illustrate mechanisms through which intrinsic religiousness can correspond both positively and negatively with attitudes toward marginalized groups.

Religious deconversion in adolescence and young adulthood: A literature review

“…In addition, deconverts often feel greater compassion and acceptance of others with diverse ideologies and lifestyles (Marriott, 2020). This accords with prior work suggesting that religious youth can be more prejudiced toward certain outgroups, such as non-heterosexuals (Shepperd et al, 2021).…”

Analysis of the Perceptions Shared by Young People about the Relevance and Versatility of Religion in Culturally Diverse Contexts

“…There are also research studies addressing the importance of religious education as the main axis in the development and effective promotion of adolescents' mental health and peers relationships, highlighting religiosity as a protective and socially-supportive factor in the immediate context [15][16][17][18]. Other studies focus on detailing religious commitment and its relationship with civic and social values and with attitudes towards other groups [19,20]. Finally, there are studies that explore beliefs and religious identity development through the media [21].…”